The Official
Travel Site of Finland

Destinations

Lapland

The Magical, Mythical Lapland

Finnish Lapland is as close as reality gets to those who dream of a winter wonderland. Contrasts are a key factor in the allure of Lapland where 24-hour sunlight in the summer replaces the dark winter days. The hustle and bustle of towns and ski resorts is just minutes away from the peace and quiet of the wild wilderness.

Lapland in figures

56 789 people 34 567 reindeers 749 fells 1 Santa Claus

Where to go

Click map to explore

Rovaniemi / Ranua

Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and the hometown of Santa Claus. Located on the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi provides modern services and lots of activities year round.

Levi

Levi offers a pace of life that will make your holiday an experience – it begins gently in the morning and throbs in the evening to the sound of dance music. There’s no risk of running out of things to do.

Ylläs

Saariselkä / Ivalo / Inari

Saariselkä–Ivalo–Inari is Europe’s northernmost holiday resort where travellers can experience the mystery of Lapp culture. Enjoy the fantastic outdoor activities with modern facilities and genuine hospitality.

Utsjoki

Utsjoki offers a natural environment where you can slow down. The vibrant Sami culture, glowing in the northern light of the Arctic Ocean, is full of stories, things to see and experiences for everyone.

Kilpisjärvi

Kilpisjärvi and its great fells are part of Finland’s national heritage. Even on the Lappish scale, this region offers something mystical that other areas can only dream about. Visit the only arctic village in Finland any season of the year.

Salla

Salla – the place to breathe the fresh air and see the beauty of the wilderness. Here you can swim in a crystal-clear lake, walk in the white forest, feel the magic of the polar night and enjoy an open fire.

Pyhä / Luosto

Pyhä–Luosto visitors can enjoy Finland’s southernmost fell range in a national park. It’s a diverse region that offers unhurried atmosphere, genuine Lapp culture and modern services for anybody ready for an adventure.

Kemijärvi / Suomu

Kemijärvi–Suomu, located in the heart of the wilderness, provides opportunities especially for country and downhill skiers. Traditionally the region is a reindeer husbandry area which makes it a popular place for families and animal lovers.

Aurora Borealis

The thrill of witnessing the Aurora Borealis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. Finland is one of the best places on Earth to spot the Northern Lights – they appear on more than 200 nights a year in Finnish Lapland.

Doze off under the northern lights

The more traditional ways to go Aurora spotting are snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or snowmobile and sled dog touring. If gazing at the dark sky in crispy winter air is not your thing, you can simply add comfort. See the slideshow above for places that have made it very easy to keep cosy and sleep well under the Aurorae.

Midnight sun

In the summer Finnish Lapland bathes in 24-hour sunlight for nearly three months. It is an incredible contrast to the darkest winter months when there is no sun at all. “Midnight sun”, as this phenomenon is called, calls for many activities such as hiking on the beautiful fells or visiting cultural events such as the Midnight Sun Film Festival in Sodankylä.

magic of the midnight sun

Two thirds of all of world’s people living in areas graced by the Midnight Sun reside in Finland. Above the Arctic Circle, in the northernmost parts of Finnish Lapland, the sun stays above the horizon for over 70 consecutive days.

Autumn

Autumnal Lapland is the best place in Finland for witnessing “ruska” – a short period when all the foliage turn into bright colors like red, yellow and orange. Seeing ruska makes looking at the already breath-taking landscape into an out-of-this-world experience. Best ruska-time is usually in mid-September, lasting around one week.

ruska in lapland

Autumn leaf color occurs in all of Finland, but gets more vibrant the further north you go. We recommend hiking trips to Lapland in the autumn if you want to witness this spectacular natural phenomenon.

Skiing

Lapland’s versatile ski resorts offer downhill enthusiasts everything from kids’ runs to black slopes, and snow parks to backcountry exploring. The season starts in late October, and high season spans from February until the snow melts in early May.

down-hill and cross-country

Finnish Lapland is a skier’s paradise. Whether you are into the thrill of downhill or prefer the more solitary experience of cross-country, the vast, silent fells and many ski resorts with their well-maintained ski tracks make sure you will find the ideal place for you.

Huskies and reindeers

Lapland offers Finland’s best rides – would you be prefer to be shown around by a pack of happy hounds or Santa’s reindeer? Both are great ways to explore the snowy surroundings. Husky and reindeer rides can take from a few minutes to days long safaris.

REInDEER RIDE

Why did Santa choose reindeer as his means of transport? Why not find out!

The Sámi

The Sámi are the only indigenous people of the European Union, residing in the Northern parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden as well as in parts of North-Eastern Russia. In Finland, the Sámi population is approximately 6 000 strong, and the preservation of their endangered language and culture is governed by an autonomous parliament of Inari, Finland.

somby – THE rocking SÁMI band

The Sámi people of Lapland, like the American Indians, are strongly associated with myths and legends, and the mention of their name conjures up stereotypical images of a simple indigenous folk, living in a rudimentary lean-to and always dressed in traditional Sámi costume. A Sámi rock band Somby aim to trash that image!

Santa Claus

Everyone knows the one and only Santa Claus is Finnish and lives in Lapland. However, as the exact location of his hideaway is not known, it is best to head to his Rovaniemi office. This is where he greets visitors all year round.

Take a look at the geographical shape of Finland and you’ll see why people call her “The Finnish Maiden”. At the tip of her thumb is the only part of the country where peaks rise 1,000 metres above sea level. Nestled in those peaks you will find a tiny village called Kilpisjärvi, home to roughly a hundred year-round residents.
One of them is 25-year-old snowmobile guide Jussi Rauhala.